It’s a time of change for California Community Colleges, including new leadership. The Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges has announced the appointment of Los Angeles Community College District Chancellor Dr. Marshall "Mark" Drummond as chancellor for the state community college system.

Drummond will officially assume his new role on January 18, when exiting Chancellor Thomas J. Nussbaum officially retires. He has been spending time in Sacramento however, in order to work with Nussbaum to ensure a smooth transition in leadership for the largest system of higher education in the world.

"We are extremely excited that Chancellor Drummond has accepted this position," said Catherine L. Unger, President of the Board of Governors. "This is a challenging time for California and the community colleges. Mark Drummond has a record of galvanizing public support for the colleges and we believe he will hit the ground running to work with the new Governor and the Legislature to find the resources needed to keep the colleges vital in building the future of the state."

"I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the California Community Colleges at a time when enrollment demand is at an all-time high, and the system is poised to play an increasingly pivotal role in California’s future," Drummond said in accepting his new post. "I want to offer my thanks to the Board of Governors, and to my predecessor, Tom Nussbaum, whose courage and skill as chancellor have led the system through difficult times and strengthened the system."

Appointed chancellor of the Los Angeles Community College District in June 1999, Drummond is credited with resurrecting the district from a troubled history of financial hardship, archaic bureaucracy and declining enrollment.

During his tenure, Drummond succeeded in getting two bond measures, Propositions A and AA, totaling more than $2 billion, approved by voters to make much-needed improvements to the nine Los Angeles community college campuses. In addition, he created a decentralized administrative system that empowers each of the colleges, the college presidents, and the communities they serve. Drummond also has revived awareness of the opportunities available to students who enroll in Los Angeles community colleges. Within four years, enrollment in the District grew from 100,000 to more than 130,000 students before the colleges were forced to cap enrollment due to state funding cuts.

"The Board of Governors faced a tough choice in selecting the next chancellor of the California Community Colleges. They have made the right choice with Mark Drummond," said California State Secretary of Education Richard Riordan. "Mark comes to this post with a reputation for being a turnaround specialist and an effective leader. I look forward to working with him."

"I am greatly encouraged by the selection of Mark Drummond," said Senator Jack Scott, Chair of the Senate's Budget Subcommittee on Education. "He brings a wealth of experience, excellent educational insight and a fine set of leadership skills to this position."

Prior to joining the Los Angeles district, Drummond served as president of Eastern Washington University for nearly a decade, significantly increasing the university’s endowment, grants and contracts and private and public funds. Drummond also served as executive vice president, vice president of administrative service and finances and vice president and chief information officer.

Drummond holds extensive experience in the private sector as well. He was a founding member and general manager of Technology Specialists, Inc., and general manager for West Coast operations at Systems and Computer Technology Corporation, both based in Pennsylvania. Drummond also is the past president of Management Services Associates in Hayward, California.

As Chancellor of the California Community Colleges, Drummond will oversee policy development and work with the Board of Governors to provide leadership, accountability and advocacy for the system. Responsibilities of the Chancellor’s Office also include college financing and program management.